In this episode we speak with Tobi Downing, who has had the opportunity to co-lead a state coalition in NY, laid the groundwork for an Intimate Partner Fatality Review team in Philadelphia, and most notably she has had the honor of working with and serving families of murder victims for almost 15 years.

Leadership expectations are often a reflection of the dominant culture. As movement leaders, we must understand how the United State’s history with enslavement and colonialism colors our leadership expectations for and perceptions Black and Brown Leaders, including in the movement to end gender-based violence. So in this episode, we speak with Tobi, as she shares honestly about the ways that she, as a Black woman, has navigated the anti-violence movement over the last 3 decades, and how perceptions have impacted her on her path to feeling like an imposter to becoming an authentic leader.

Tobi also co-hosts a podcast A Changed Mind Pod, which features transparent conversations about faith, healing, loss, recovery, domestic violence, incarceration and more. Listen to "A Changed Mind Pod" here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-changed-mind/id1552109049

Visit a Changed Mind Pod on social media:
Facebook @AChangedMindPod
Instagram @achangedmindpod
Twitter @AChangedMindPod

Visit Valor’s social media and let us know what you thought of our conversation with Tobi:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreValorUS
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Valor_US_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_valorus/

This project is supported by Grant No 2020-TA-AX-K022 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this program are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice.